Tuesday Reading: Epstein, the debt crisis, & more

• Obama hits approval rating low
• Prof. Epstein advocates the flat tax to solve the financial crisis
  Defining Ideas: Raise Taxes on the Poor
  

  Rather than increasing taxes on the rich, as the president wants, we need to increase taxes on the poor.  Our progressive system of taxation is a mistake—it is part of the reason why we are experiencing this fiscal crisis. Under a flat tax system, all income earners will have to foot their part of the bill for each new government program.

• Rick Perry's refusal to condemn New York's gay marriage legalization is raising eyebrows
  RCP: Perry, Conservatives, and Gay Marriage: An Evolving View?
• George Will contrasts Obama and Boehner's styles
  WaPo: Congress Stands Its Ground
• WSJ on last night's speeches
  WSJ: A Leadership Default
• Megan MaCardle is also unimpressed
  The Atlantic: The Subliminal Message of Tonight's Speech: We're Doomed